Why Arab Countries Should Follow The Iranian Role Model

The interminably arrogant Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu now has the audacity to challenge the agreement reached by the six powers with Iran on its nuclear program, saying that before it can be signed off it must include a clear and unambiguous recognition of the right of Israel to exist.

Fortunately this illogical demand was dismissed out of hand by State Department spokesperson Marie Harf who said, 'This agreement doesn't deal with any other issues, nor should it.'

This prompt and unambiguous response was a strong message to Netanyahu that he should stop barking out orders on issues that have nothing to do with him because he will not find anyone willing to listen - not for the life time of the current administration, at least.

Netanyahu has worked relentlessly not only to prevent Washington accepting Iran's right to nuclear power but to provoke his White House ally to undertake a military strike against Tel Aviv's nemesis.

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The Israeli Prime Minister's attitude stems from three major concerns:

First, there is a growing international impetus for Israel to put its own house in order where nuclear power is concerned and to oblige Tel Aviv to place the Dimona nuclear processing plant under the auspices of the NPT. Currently, Israel actually denies even the existence of Dimona!

Second, if Washington lifts its sanctions on Iran, it will become the strongest regional power in the Middle East and a reliable and effective alternative ally for Washington.

Third, that the agreement will push other regional powers such as Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to establish nuclear capabilities, ostensibly for peaceful, domestic, use but with the potential for an upgrade to military-grade enrichment should it be required.

If Iran, despite being under US embargo for more than 30 years, succeeded in developing a nuclear program, and accumulating a sophisticated arsenal one can only imagine how it will race ahead once the sanctions have been lifted.

Netanyahu is not alone in worrying that Iran is about to disrupt the balance of power, and become the unrivalled regional superpower. This in turn will have a knock-on effect on the status of its own regional allies, relieving the pressure on Syria and Iraq, for example, as well as Shia elements in Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain.

Despite rapprochement with Washington, Tehran is unlikely - even after this historic agreement has been signed off - to resume the intimate friendship that existed at the time of the Shah, when Iran played the role of regional policeman at America's behest.

The current leadership possesses a high degree of national pride is very high, and has no ambitions to join Nato. In addition it is closely allied with Russia at a time when the chill of cold war is once again making itself felt.

US President Barack Obama wants to leave his mark as his second and final term nears an end and this significant agreement with Iran is a great achievement which probably justifies his winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nevertheless, he does not wish to alienate his old, abandoned allies such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States and has invited them to a Spring summit at Camp David to allay their fears that they are being side-lined.

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We do not know whether Netanyahu will be invited to the Camp David summit itself, or if another meeting will be scheduled, but we do know that Obama is likely to meet some sulky faces in the Arab delegations, some trembling nerves and some undisguised disappointment towards the treacherous American ally that can no longer be relied upon.

The US-Iranian agreement may be viewed as a setback for some Arab countries but one positive result is that it lessens the regional influence of Israel and may, as a result, lead in the future to an appropriate settlement for the Palestinians.

A further positive result might be that Arab governments learn from the Iranian experience that it possible to not only survive but flourish, without the protection of America. Iran was not intimidated by US war ships and aircraft carriers; it has been fiercely independent and its stalwart stance has finally paid off.

Perhaps we will now see the same grit displayed by Arab countries or even an Arab renaissance?